Category: State of the Ummah

The Danger of Belittling Worship and Remembrance

Habib Ali al-Jifri (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) draws our attention to a subtle trap that activists may fall into. They may mistakenly think that spending time in Allah’s remembrance is a waste of time and that people instead should be occupied solving the problems of the Ummah. Such a belief has dangerous consequences. Continue reading The Danger of Belittling Worship and Remembrance

What is Our Duty Towards the People of Palestine?

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

We must love them for Allah’s sake, feel sadness for what saddens them and feel joy for what gives them joy. We must offer them whatever support we can in whatever form that takes. We must counsel them to hold fast to the truth and to be patient and steadfast. We must pray for them in abundance.

On Buying Products from Countries in which Muslims are Being Oppressed

I buy and sell products online and I found that most of the products I was buying are produced in countries in which Muslims are being oppressed. Should I continue buying from these countries?

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Unfortunately Muslims suffer oppression both in non-Muslim countries and in Muslim countries. If you know for certain that your money will be used in acts of disobedience to Allah or that it will benefit individuals or companies known to be engaged in this oppression then these transactions must be avoided. If that is not the case, then you are permitted to buy products from those countries. The Prophet ﷺ allowed some trade with Mecca to continue even though the disbelievers of Quraysh were oppressing the Muslims. When the Companion Thumamah bin Uthal prevented caravans from carrying food to Mecca, the Prophet commanded him to allow them to do so.

 

Etiquette of Sleep and Wakefulness

When someone neglects the etiquette of being awake, their wakefulness becomes sleep. When someone abides by the etiquette of sleep, however, their sleep becomes wakefulness.

Much harm is caused to Muslims by their hearts being asleep. Being distracted by other than Him is, in reality, sleep. If we realised the truth, we would wake up.

Sleeper, wake up! Muslims are in a deep sleep. That is why disbelievers being given power over Muslims can be likened to the animals of the jungle playing around a sleeping lion.

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Source: Tawjih al-Nabih, Page 292

Defence Against Tribulation

Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) teaches us that our connection to Allah and His Beloved  ﷺ  are a defence against tribulation. He also helps us to understand some of the divisions among the Companions and the concepts of tawassul and service. 

All credit belongs to the Prophet ﷺ, our guide and teacher. The good works of anyone who reached any rank will be recorded in the Prophet’s book – from the Siddiqun and the greatest of them: Abu Bakr, `Umar, `Uthman and `Ali – to the first of the Muhajirun and the Ansar, to the Ahl al-Bayt, the scholars and callers to Allah. Every mosque and institute of knowledge that Allah accepted will be recorded in his book. Continue reading Defence Against Tribulation

On Involvement in Protests and Demonstrations

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Should those involved in dawah take part in protests which condemn things like police brutality or the oppression of the Palestinian people?

Oppression must be condemned whatever form it takes as long as this does not lead to greater oppression or some other kind of evil. Demonstrations are a normal means of expression in our day and age and they are given political importance. Ordinary people are free to get involved in such protests if they wish, but the role of those involved in dawah is to clarify the Islamic position on such matters. They should not be directly involved in protests because this may have political and social implications and may lead them to neglect aspects of their dawah. Making sincere tawbah, returning to Allah and pleading with Him will have more impact.

 

 

Prophetic Guidance in Times of Tribulation

In light of recent political events in Yemen and other countries, Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) clarifies the Prophetic perspective on how to deal with tribulations.

Habib Umar delivered the lecture in Dar al-Mustafa on 9th Jumada al-Akhirah 1436 / 29th March 2015 and it was attended by students of forty two nationalities. In it Habib Umar gave general guidelines as well as specific advice for those currently studying in Tarim. What follows is a summary of the main points. Continue reading Prophetic Guidance in Times of Tribulation

On Killing and Oppression Occurring in Blessed Lands

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him).

How can killing and oppression take place in lands where there are numerous pious people? Do the pious not protect such areas from these tribulations?

Does not the existence of these pious people make it incumbent upon the habitants of those lands to realise their sanctity and follow their example? Continue reading On Killing and Oppression Occurring in Blessed Lands